Self-erecting tent



Dec. 16, 1958 J. F. OLIVER 2,864,388

SELF-ERECTING TENT Filed Sept. 19, 1955 2 SlxeeLs--Sheetl 1 Wam 04.41

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Dec. 16, 1958 J. F. OLIVER SELF-ERECTING TENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 19, 1955 5. C ff SELF-'ERECTING TENT James l?. @liv/er, Canoga Park, Calif., assigner, by direct and mesne assignments, to Kwikover Inc., a corporation of Caiifornia Application September 19, 1955, Serial No. 535,110

4 Claims. (Cl. 13S- 1) tent'structures heretofore employed 'are quiteunwieldy to co-llapse and to erect. Their structural frames are usually formed of multiple independent sections which must ybe carefully arranged and balanced in the process of erection, usually requiring the exercise of considerable skill and judgment in order Vto obtain a Vneat and securelyr erected tent. Further, most tents Yof Aany appreciable size require the cooperation of more than one person in order to balance supporting poles, arches, or the like and to tension stay lines in multiple directions simultaneously and with precision Vto afford the necessary balance of forces. Because such difficulties and nuisances as here mentioned are attendant the neat and satisfactory erection of the tent structures of the prior art, the use of collapsible flexible walled housings of the tent category has been small and for the most part restricted to highly specialized uses.

In accordance with the present invention, however, there is provided a collapsible and portable tent structure formed from a plurality of parts which are joined into an integrated unit, so that the tent may be readily and easily collapsedand erected by a single attendant without the exercise of any skill, and with a minimum expendiure of effort. And further, the tent is so constructed that it is self-erecting, krequiring of the attendant that he merely orient the collapsible tent on the grou'nd in accordance with a most simple' procedure. It is therefore contemplated that bythe practice of the teachings of the present invention, not 'only will 'the use of tents in their current elds of activity be greatly facilitated, but the use of tents and analagous structures may be expanded into new elds where conventional tent structures have gained little popularity due to their cumbersomenes's. For example, it is contemplated that the present invention is readily adaptable to function as a portable beach Cabana, a revolving pool-side enclosure, or a patio shelter, etc.

It is accordingly the principal object of the present invention: to provide a flexible walled collapsible kand po-rtable housing structure, inthel general category of a tent, which is readily collapsed and readily erected with-k out the requirement of special skills or the efforts of more than'one person.

2,854,388 Patented Dec. 16, 19458 eine Another object of vthe present invention is to provide aframe structure for a housing as above-indicated, adapted to support a flexible fabric enclosure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible frame structure for a housing as aboveindicated, adapted to carry a flexible fabric e'nclosure in substantially vertical wall orientation;

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a tent having a frame formed of a plurality of hinged parts joined into `an integrated unit, and inl corporating an energy storage device, whereby the struc'- ture is self erecting upon release thereof, in response to energy stored as a result of collapsing the tent.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the follow'- ing detailed description of one exemplary specific embodiment thereof, had in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals lrefer to likev orcorresponding parts and wherein:

isig. l is an iscmetric view of an erected tent structure made in accordance with the teachings of the present f invention; f I v V Fig. 2 is a view of the skeletal frame of the tent structure when in the erected condition shown 'in Fig'. l;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of the tent structure frame when collapsed;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view ofthe tent structure frame when collapsed and folded; V

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a detail "of the frame structure, taken alo-ngline 5 5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the Same structure taken alo-ng line 6-6 of Fig. 5; f y p Fig. 7 is a further lsectionalview of the same struc"-l ture taken along line 7-7 ofFig. 5; A

Fig. 8 is a sectional View taken along line 8--8 of Fig. 6; and` Fig. 9 is a sectional view Fig. 6. M

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the tent there shown comprises an integrated frame structure, generally denoted by the numeral l0,'adapted to support and have affixed thereto a iiexible covering or skin 11. The frame it) may be fabricated ofany suitable structural material, although tubular and/ or channel rods of `y aluminum are preferred because of their light weight l and strength. The covering li. may be made of any` suiable flexible fabric sheet material desired, such as canvas, woven or sheet plastic, netting, or the like, de'- pending largely upon the intended use of the tent.' Although they tent is sho-wn in the drawings as completely Considering the frame 10 in detail, it comprises two`v basic bows or arches f2 and i3, whose ends or bases are pivotally hinged together as at 14 and 14a.

the tent. Angularly intermediate the bows. 12 and 13 there is suspended a third bow 15, supported at its ends in the housings 16, 16a by the struts 17, 18 and The bow r f 12 defines the ground area of the tent, while the bow i3 defines the essentially vertical front or'entrnce ofy 17a, 18a. These two pairs of struts are pivotally connected with the respective ends of bow l5 and with the legs of bows 12 and 13 at points 61, 62, 63, and 64. The contents of housings 16, 16a and the cooperation therewith and function of the struts are described in detail subsequently. The closed or arched ends of all three bows together with the side legs of bows 12 and 13 are intended to support and carry the flexible covering 11, and it is contemplated that the covering may be permanently or semi-permanently secured thereto by any conventional means. The covering may be secured over the bowsby buttons or snap fasteners, for example, so that the covering may be quickly attached and worn coverings readily replaced.

In the basic operation of the present tent structure, it will be readily seen that by pivoting bow 13 about its pivots 14 and 14a until it is substantially superposed over bow 12. the frame structure thus far described will be transposed from the erect position shown in Fig. 2 to the collapsed position shown in Fig. 3. And in erecting the tent structure thus far described, by elevation of the bow 13, the structure will be transposed from the condition of Fig. 3 to that of Fig. 2. In connection with bow 15, it may be freely pivotable with respect to housings 16, 16a and struts 17, 18 and 17a, 13a during the erecting and collapsing operation, in which event reliance is had upon the cover 11 properly secured to the bows to locate bow in the desired angular relation with respect to bows 12 and 13, while the linkages of struts 17. 18 and 17a, 18a function to thrust the bow 15 outwardly a desired amount.

Turning next to a consideration of the structure provided in housings 16 and 16a in the instant embodiment, reference is had particularly to Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Since these two housings are identical, a description of one will sufce for both. Housing 16 is a split housing formed of two opposed, spaced, and somewhat dished cover plates 21 and 22 carried by a central or axial pin 23. Under cover plates 21 is a hub 24 pivotable on pin 23, and around which is coiled a spring having one` end 25a anchored to the hub. A tenion arm 26 is affixed to the face of hub 24. A similar arrangement is provided under the opposite cover plate 22, comprising hub 34, coil spring 35, and tension arm 36. Between hubs 24 and 34 the ends of bow 15 and struts 17 and 18 are all pivotally mounted on the axial pin 23. Spacers and bearings may be provided between the various pivotal elements thus assembled, as shown.

The free ends 25b and 35b of coil springs 25 and are hooked over pin 41 carried in strut 18, While the tension arms 26 and 36, which are affixed to hubs 24 and 34 anchoring the other ends of springs 25 and 35. have their extendingpcrtions aixed to strut 17 by pin 42. It can thus be seen that by pivoting strut 18 counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 6, while pivoting strut 17 clockwise, coil springs 25 and 35 are tensioned. This is the action imposed on struts 17 and 18 when bow` 13 is pivoted from the erect position of Fig. 2 to the horizontal or collapsed position of Fig. 3. Therefore, when the bows 13 and 15 are moved to collapsed position, the springs 25 and 35 are tensioned and store the energy thus impartedithereto, so that when bow 13 is released the structure will automatically springr up into the fully erected position of Fig. 2. As earlier explained, the covering material 11 is dimensioned and properly attached to the bows to position bow 15 in the proper angular relation to bows 12 and 13, and the dimensioning of the covering material may be further utilized to limit the angular movemerit of bow 13 away from bow 12 and the outward thrust of bow 15 under the action of springs 25, 35, the corresponding springs in housing 16a, and struts 17, 18 and 17a, 18a, tokeep this thrust linkage from going into an over center position, so that the tent may be readily collapsed. In place of, or in addition to, the limiting effect of the covering, the angular movement of bow 13 relative to bow 12 and the outward thrust of bow 15 during erection of the tent may be limited by a mechanical stop 82, 83, and/or a detent or other like means. This stop is shown in connection with pivot 14, but may be employed with any of the other pivots associated with the movement. lf desired, the elements may be designed, as is apparent, to attain an over center effect from the thrust linkage, and thereby provide a locking operation, where desired.

As a further feature of the present invention, the legs of the bows 12, 13, and 15 are each pivotally broken or hinged in two parts at 51, 52, and 53 on one side, and at 51a, 52a, and 53a on the other side. Through this construction, when the structure is collapsed as in Fig. 2, each set of side legs may be folded inwardly into the position shown in Fig. 4, to materially reduce the overall dimensions of the collapsed structure and enhance its portability. As is readily apparent, when the tent structure is in the erected condition of Fig. 2, the legs of the bows cannot be folded about the pivot hinges, so that the tent will not collapse or fold about these joints; and similarly when the tent structure is collapsed and folded into the condition of Fig. 4, due to the breaking of the side legs about their hinges, the structure cannot erect itself until the legs of the bows are straightened. Where desired, tie straps may be employed to secure the bows 12, 13, and 15 in superposed collapsed position. Also, stops 80, 81 and/or detents or the like may be utilized to limit the outward swinging movements of the legs of bows 12, 13, and 15 about their pivots 51, 52, 53 and 51a, 52a, 53a into position for erection of the tent.

The foregoing structure is in itself a complete tent, but there may be provided a combined awning and front closure bow 71. The awning or closure bow 7l is pivotally secured at 72 and 72a to the front bow 13 near the top thereof, for swinging movement about a horizontal axis. This awning frame is adapted also to support arid carry a corresponding portion of the covering material 11, and may be used as an awning when in the position shown in Figs. l and 2, or as a closure member when swung downwardly about pivots 72 and 72a to a position in front of the tent opening. Principally to facilitate compacting the tent when in the collapsed and folded condition of Fig. 4, the legs of the awning bow are hingedly broken at 73 and 73a. so that the awning frame may be doubled back on itself as shown in Fig. 3. A flap 74 of covering material may extend from the end of the awning, the principal function of which is to provide a wrapping to encircle the tent when in collapsed and folded condition, and appropriate snaps, fasteners, ties, or the like may be provided to secure flap 74 after it has been wrapped about the collapsed and folded structure. Hinges 72, 72a, 73 and 73a are preferably friction bearings so that the awning will retain its adiusted orientation. The awning and associated Hap may be utilized together to form a front closure for the tent. and where appropriate, the tlap may be utilized to extend the awning outwardlv, where trees or stakes may be available for supporting the same.

In using the structure, starting with an erected tent, it may be readily collapsed by pushing back on bow 1 3 causing it to pivot about 14, 14a, until the structure is completely collapsed with bow 13 overlying bows 15 and 12 as shown in Fig. 3. Since this action tensions the springs in housings 16 `and 16a, through the struts 17, 18 and 17a. 18a, the structure must be held in the collapsed position, otherwise it will erect itself. While holding bow 13 down, the legs of the bows on each side of the 'structure are folded inwardly about their pivot hinges, 51, 51a, 52, 52a, 53, and 53a, thereby locking the structure against self-erection, and suitable straps, not shown, may be used to tie the bows together, thus further securing in collapsed position. The awning is then folded down upon bow 13 about pivots 72. 72a and folded back on itself about pivots 73, 73a into the position shown in Fig. 3. Theitiap 74may then be wrapped around the structure and appropriately fastened, and the tent is ready for transporting. A handle may be applied to flap 74, if desired, or to the archof bow 12, kfor example, to facilitate carrying the structure. To erect'the tent, ap 74 is unwrapped, the folded .legs of the `bows 12, 1.3 and 15 are straightened, and the. energy :stored in the springs of housings 16 and 16a during collapsing of the structure operates to automatically erect bows 13 and 15 and thrust bo-w 15 outwardly, causing the tent to assume its fully erected condition without further effort on the part of the attendant. The awning or closure bow 71 may then be adjusted to the desired position. If it is desired to secure the erected tent against movement by wind or other forces, stakes may be driven into the ground, having one end appropriately designed to hook over and engage the ground bow 12.

In connection with the foregoing description, and particularly with regard to Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the frame structure is illustrated stripped of the covering material for the purpose of clearly showing the operative relationships of the frame parts. However, it should be understood that the positions of the frame structure shown are those obtained when the covering is secured over and to the frame.

It will thus be seen that the present invention affords a tent type structure which may be readily collapsed and folded for transporting, and which is self-erecting into a substantially vertically walled housing. And it is understood that the foregoing specific embodiment of this invention is presente-d merely by way of example, and that various modifications and adaptations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and adaptations as are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims are therefore contemplated by the present invention.

I claim:

1. A collapsible tent frame co-mprising a irst frame member and a second frame member hinged together for relative pivotal movement between a substantially superposed collapsed angularly closed position and an angularly separated open position, a thrust means interconnecting said first and second frame members and spanning the angular opening between said frame members and being hingedly broken intermediate the ends of its span to permit angular closing and opening of the span in responce to corresponding action of said two frame members, energy absorbing and storage meansl cooperating with said thrust means to absorb and store energy when said frame members and thrust means are moved in an angularly closing sense and to release said energy when said frame members and thrust means are moved in an angularly opening sense, and a third frame member carried by said thrust means for linear movement in response to angular movements of said thrust means, said thrust means being oriented to linearly move said third frame member toward the hinged juncture of said first and second frame members when said first and second frame members are pivoted from said open to said closed position, and to linearly move said third frame member away from said juncture when said first and second frame members are pivoted frcm said closed to said open position, whereby said energy absorbing and storage means operates to drive said first and second frame members and said thrust means in said angularly opening sense and said third frame member linearly away from said juncture.

2. A collapsible tent frame comprising a first frame member and a second frame member hinged together for relative pivotal movement between a substantially superposed collapsed angularly closed position and an angularly separated open position, a thrust means interconnecting said lirst and second frame members and spanning the angular opening between said frame members and being hingedly broken intermediate the ends of its span .to permtfangular kclosing and openingof the span-in' .responseto corresponding -action'lof said two-frame members, energy absorbing and storage 'means cooperating with said members and thrust means to absorb and store energy when said frame members and thrust means are movedinan angularly closing sense and to release said energy when saidframemembers and lthrust means are moved in anangularly opening sense, and a third frame member connected with said thrust means for linear movement in response to angular movements of said thrust means, said thrust means being oriented to linearly move said third frame member toward the hinged juncture of said first and second frame members when said first and second frame members are pivoted from said open to said closed position, and to linearly move said third frame member away from said juncture when said first and second frame members are pivoted from said closed to said open position, whereby said energy absorbing and storage means operates to drive said first and second frame members and said thrust means in said angularly opening sense and said third frame member` linearly away from said juncture.

3. A collapsible tent frame comprising a first frame member and a second frame member hinged together for relative pivotal movement between a substantially superposed collapsed angularly closed position and an angularly separated open position, a thrust means interconnecting said first and second frame members and including energy absorbing and storage means cooperating with said frame members to absorb and store energy when said frame members are moved in an angularly closing sense and to release said energy when said frame members are moved in an angularly opening sense, a third frame member angularly intermediate said first and second frame members, said thrust means connecting said third frame member with said first and second members for linear movements in response to angular movements of said first and second members, said last mentioned means providing for linear movement of said third frame member toward the hinged juncture of said lirst and second frame members when said lirst and second frame members are pivoted in said angularly closing sense, and away from said hinged juncture when said first and second framemembers are pivoted in said angularly opening sense, whereby said energy abso-rbing and storage means operates to drive said first and second frame members in said angularly opening sense and said third frame member linearly away from said juncture.

4. A collapsible tent frame comprising a first frame member and a second frame member hinged together for relative pivotal movement between a substantially superposed collapsed angularly closed position and an angularly separated open position, a thrust means interconnecting said first and second frame members and spanning the angular opening between said frame members, said thrust means comprising two arms, one end of one of said arms being connected to one of said frame members, -one end of the other of said arms being connected to the other of said frame members, the other ends of said arms being connected together intermediate said frame members to permit angular closing and opening of the span of said arms in response to corresponding action of said two frame members, energy absorbing and storage means cooperating with said members and thrust means to absorb and store energy when said frame members and thrust means are moved in an angularly closing sense and to release said energy when said frame members and thrust means are moved in an angularly opening sense, and a third frame member angularly intermediate said first and second frame members supported by said thrust means for linear movement in response to angular movements of said thrust means, said thrust means being oriented to linearly move said third frame member toward the hinged juncture of said first and second frame members when said rst and second frame members are pvoted from said open to said closed position, and to linearly move said third frame member away from said juncture when said rst and second frame members are pivoted from said closed to said open position, whereby said energy absorbing and storage means operates to drive said first and second frame members and said thrust means in said angularly opening sense and said third frame member linearly away .from said juncture.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Mahan July 12, 1881 Owen Nov. 7, 1899 Lewis Jan. 2, 1934 Jolly Dec. 10, 1935 De Marco Feb. 5, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Jan. 30, 1913 Great Britain Aug. 30, 1917 

